This four colour publication containing 231 pages was brought out to disseminate detailed information about the International Tipaimukh Dam Conference ITDC held on 30-31 December in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
For your copy please contact Angikar Bangladesh Office. Price ; Bangladeshi Taka 300.00/ Indian Rupee 200.00/ US $ 20.00
Content
In fond Remembrance
Editorial: No to Tipaimukh Dam
Announcement of ITDC 2005
Proceedings Synopsis
PowerPoint Presentations
Dhaka Declaration
People resurgence Award
ITDC Pictorial
Emailing Protest
Urgent appeal to 14th SAARC Summit
Participants list
The team ITDC 2005
Editorial: No to Tipaimukh Dam
NO TO
TIPAIMUKH DAM !
On 30-31 December, 2005, the city of Dhaka witnessed the event of vital importance for the civilization and habitats developed along the Meghna/Barak basin for millenniums : International Tipaimukh Dam Conference ITDC. Activists, experts, academics, media personnels and politicians from Bangladesh, India & Nepal participated in the conference to come out with 'Dhaka Declaration' analysing the impending catastrophic danger due to the proposed Tipaimukh Dam project to be built soon in Manipur, India upon the common river of both Bangladesh and India, the Barak. The Dhaka Declaration in essence pronounced in unison: 'No To Tipaimukh Dam.'
The extensive and wide coverage of the ITDC 2005 in both electronic and print media in and abroad established the controversial Tipaimukh Dam as a contentious 'issue'- this could be termed as the most successful out come of the ITDC 2005. The post conference publication dealt with the different aspects of the issue as discussed and presented in the sessions of the conference, through relevant write-ups and certain related documents.
The success of the ITDC 2005 delivered the immediate responsibility upon the shoulders of the water rights activists of the Meghna/Barak basin to aware and organize the inhabitants. This post conference publication, we hope, will be able to disseminate the details of the issue to the activists which is sure to bear healthy fruits in their work. We express our deep indebtedness to the activists and volunteers of the organizations associated with the ITDC 2005 for their dedicated and earnest efforts. Our special greetings to the women who contributed their volunteering skill in presenting indigenous cakes (pitha) to the delegates as snacks.
The enthusiastic pro-active role of BARCIK, a prominent research NGO working in Bangladesh resolved the basic resources issue_all our feelings to the team of BARCIK led by Sukanta Sen. The special role played by BEN, BAPA, CORE & Riverbasin Friends, NE India elevated the ITDC 2005 to an appreciable level of attainment and quality_we acknowledge this with a sense of deep appreciation. IUCN-Netherlands provided the vital support to holding ITDC 2005, Both ENDS of the Netherlands extended its valuable services_our heart-felt gratitude to both the organizations. Last but not the least, ActionAid Bangladesh stood beside the ITDC2005 spontaneously and facilitated the preparations, we are to praise its frank and meaningful supportive role.
We have all the praises for the members of the secretariat and activists related with this post conference publication for their dedicated efforts.
(Engineer Muhammad Hilaluddin)
Chief Director
Angikar Bangladesh Foundation
PROCEEDINGS OF ITDC 2005
1. The Inaugural Open-air Event: The inaugural open-air event started at 11 A.M. on 30 December, 2005, Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, IEB premises being the venue. Eminent writer and personality Professor Muhammed Zafar Iqbal inaugurated the International Tipaimukh Dam Conference and delivered an important speech. The rostrum of the open air event was glorified with the presence of Dr. Md. Khalequzzaman of BEN, Aram Pamei of CCDD Manipur, Dr. Debabrata Roy Laifungbam of CORE, Manipur, Ravindranath of River Basin Friends, North East India and Mohidul Huq Khan of BAPA.
Shusanta & Nitu lent their unique voices singing 'Ei Padma, Ei Meghna, Ei Jamuna- Surma Nadee- tote'- a popular patriotic song on the rivers here in Bangladesh. Flags of SAARC countries along with those of Peoples Republic of China & Myanmer were hoisted, baloon and pigeons were flown symbolically to the people and leaders of the above 10 countries. The inaugural event sought to set the tune to the effect that the people and governments of these countries must unite to ensure safe water for all in the region.
Engineer Muhammad Hilaluddin of Angikar Bangladesh Foundation facilitated by Mahfuza Jesmin conducted the inaugural event.
2. The first Session : The first session started at 2:30 P.M. in the seminar room of IEB. It was chaired by Dr. Md. Khalequzzaman of BEN. Dr. Ainun Nishat, Country Director, IUCN- Bangladesh made the submission in the first session through power point presentation (detailed afterwards). Nasreen Huq, Country Director, ActionAid Bangladesh, Dr. Abdur Rajjak, Member of Parliament, Professor Zahiruddin Chowdhury of Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology (BUET), Dr. R.K. Ranjan, Registrar, Manipur University (representing CCDD), Dr. Debabrata Roy Laifungbam of CORE Manipur, Ravindranath from River Basin Friends, North East India, Mohidul Huq Khan of BAPA, Liberation Warrior Engineer Masroorul Huq Siddiqui (Bir-Uttom), Riaz Ahmed of the Daily Star participated as special discussants. Engineer Muhammad Hilaluddin moderated the session. The chair of the session Dr. Md. Khalequzzaman also made his submission in power point (detailed afterwards).
A committee was formed in this session comprising Dr. Roy Laifungbam, Dr. Md. Khalequzzaman, Ravindranath, Engineer Muhammad Hilaluddin and Dr. M. A. Matin in order to draft 'Dhaka Declaration' and follow up 'Action Plan'.
3. The Second Session : The session started at 10 A.M. on 31 December, 2005 at the same venue. It was chaired by Dr. R.K. Ranjan (CCDD, Manipur) and co-chaired by Rita Boro (CORE Manipur). The session was moderated by Engineer Kazi Mohammad Shish. The special discussants were Dr. Md. Ali AKbar Mollick (eminent seismologist), Professor
Gopal Swarma of Katmandu University, Nepal, Professor Dr. M. Ameeruzzaman Khan, Mohiuddin Ahmed (Consultant), Muniruzzaman (prominent journalist and columnist), Singh Miranjan loitongbam and N. Gokul Chandra from Manipur, Zakir Hossain of Nagarik Uddyog and Mihir Biswas from Buriganga Bachao Andolan. M. Anowar Hossain from ActionAid Bangladesh made a power point submission (detailed afterwards).
4. The Third Session : Dr. Debabrata Roy Laifungbam (CORE Manipur) chaired this session. The special discussants were Mostafa Kamal Majumder (Editor, The New Nation), Dr. Hasan Mahmud (Secretary for Environment, Bangladesh Awami Leage), Dr. M.A. Matin (BAPA) and Mahbubul Islam (Bangladesh Youth Union).
On behalf of the draft commitee, Dr. M. A. Matin placed the draft 'Dhaka Declaration' and 'Action plan' thereof. After thorough and detailed discussions, debates and necessary amendments, the house unanimously endorsed the Dhaka Declaration which includes an 'Action Plan' too. (Full text of the declaration is given on after words).
From among the delegates Dr. Abdul Hai Majumder, Dr. Muhammad Shamsur Rahman, Zahidur Rahman, Abdul Mannan Bhasani, Mizanur Rahman, Advocate Abed Reza, Peasant Ayub Hossain and Mahtab Ahmed participated in the discussion. Mr. Ravindranath from River Basin Friends, North East India also discussed in details on the adverse impact of the Tipaimukh Dam. Singongpou Pamei (Kinderson) from CORE, Manipur participated in the concluding discussion.
Peoples Resurgence Award
Upon the proposal of Dr. Debabrata Roy Laifungbam & Engineer Muhammad Hilaluddin, the delegates and participants of ITDC 2005 felt honoured to announce Peoples Resurgence Award in favour of the valiant Narmada Bachao Andolon on its turbulent yet reselient 20 years' journey.
5. The Concluding Session: This session was chaired by the eminent environmentalist and academician Professor Nazrul Islam, Vice President, BAPA. The special discussants were Abul Mal Abdul Muhit (the veteran environmentalist and Ex. Finance Minister), Nurul Islam Nahid (Secretary for Education, Bangladesh Awami Leaage), Shahidullah Chowdhury (Presidium Member, Communist Party of Bangladesh), Moinuddin Khan Badal (Executive President, Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal) and Dr. Asif Nazrul, Professor, Dhaka University. Engineer Muhammad Hilaluddin made concluding speech dealing on the perspectives of the conference and detailing the follow-up activities.
The session specially dealt on the role of the national leadership as regards to the contentious bilateral and multilateral issues prevailling in our countries.